February_2015_Public_Meeting_Summary.pdf

Goose Lake Road Reconstruction Project

Public Meeting Summary

Wednesday, February 11, 2015 4:30-6:00 p.m.

Payette National Forest Building Weiser/Idaho Conference Room 500 N Mission St.

McCall, ID

Introduction

The project’s first public meeting was held on February 11, 2015, in McCall, Idaho, to introduce and provide an overview of the Goose Lake Road Reconstruction project, outline the project’s purpose, and to collect feedback from the public.

Public Outreach

Notification for the meeting included an invitation postcard mailed to approximately 44 parties on the initial project stakeholder list.

An email meeting reminder was sent to 37 email addresses included on the stakeholder list.

An advertisement announcing the meeting was placed in the weekly McCall Star-News in the Thursday, February 5, 2015 issue.

Project Presentation

Attendees were invited to sign in and add their names to the project mailing list.

Eighteen people signed in. Comment cards were made available.

The meeting was staffed by Western Federal Lands Highway Division project manager Greg Gifford, Erin Chipps- WFLHD environmental protection specialist and two consultants. The room was set up with a presentation area. People were encouraged to talk with project staff after the presentation.

February 11, 2015 Public Meeting Summary Page | 2

Greg introduced the project team members present, Erin Chipps WFLHD environmental protection specialist, Mark Hirota consultant project manager and Stacy Thomas, public involvement specialist. Mark led the project presentation which included a project overview, safety improvements being considered, and next steps with a general project schedule and contact information. The project begins at the intersection of SH 55 and Goose Lake Road and extents 3.8 miles to the turn off to Brundage Mountain Ski area. Key project elements include: widening the roadway from 22 feet to 26 feet; adding striping to increase safety; improving selected roadway curves; and thinning selected trees to increase sunlight to specific sections, reducing icy spots.

Mark then led a Q&A session.

Public Comments

Attendees were invited to submit their comments about the project. No comment cards were received. A summary of the key themes and issues that were raised during the Q&A session at the meeting (responses in italics, where applicable) follows:

• How is the project being funded? The project is being federally funded from gas tax.

The project cost is approximately $9 million.

• How long is the construction? The construction duration depends on several factors and it is too early in the project to accurately determine, but we believe that it will likely take two construction seasons. One of the factors that determines the construction duration is the contracting method. Two contracting methods are currently being considered; Design-Build and Design-Bid-Build.

• Attendees shared some concern regarding shutting the road down for construction.

• How many culverts will be replaced? There are several (about five) large diameter culverts, located near the start of the project that will be replaced to enhance fish passage.

• The Bear Basin road could be a viable detour route during construction of the culvert replacements.

• Could this project increase parking at the Gordon Titus Parking area? No.

February 11, 2015 Public Meeting Summary Page | 3

• Will there be slope stabilization with screening? We will look at alternatives.

• Where will the contractor staging area be? Likely at the top of the mountain (near the Brundage ski area,) but we have not determined that yet.

• Maintaining traffic is important. We may look at a 4 day work week for the contractor (M-Th). The team noted that maintaining traffic at an acceptable level is typically a trade-off with an extended duration of construction.

• Will there be a widened shoulder or striped bike lane? There will not be a dedicated bike lane, but there will be 26 feet of pavement for two striped travel lanes.

• How much of SH 55 will be impacted? It is too early to know. We will investigate which safety improvements are feasible for this project.

• Involve Idaho Power as their line crosses Goose Lake Road several times.

Utilities will be engaged early in the project.

• When will construction finish? We are estimating that it will be complete by fall 2017.

• How are WFLHD projects chosen? WFLHD calls for projects that provide access to federal lands and are maintained by a local agency. After an evaluation, projects are selected.

• Will the sharp curves at the top of Goose Lake Road be straightened? We have looked at them and will continue to do so, but an easy solution is not apparent.

• Will the grade be changed? No.

• Spring is about the only time of year where the traffic on the road is light. The team is working with Brundage and the Forest Service to identify road usage, timing of heavy use, area events, etc. in order to develop a traffic maintenance plan for construction.

• What is the Average Daily Traffic? ADT is approximately 1,400 in the winter and 400 in the summer. [the Draft Scoping Report lists 2010 Seasonal ADT numbers of 1357 vehicles per day in the winter and 224 vehicles per day in the summer]

• Does National Environmental Policy Act apply to this project? Yes, NEPA applies as there are federal funds on this project.

February 11, 2015 Public Meeting Summary Page | 4

Attendees were asked to provide input on where safety issues exist. Comments included:

• Sight distance at the intersection (SH 55 and Goose Lake Road).

• Icebox curve (near the Gordon Titus Parking area) and the compound curve near the entrance to the Brundage Ski Area.

• The Gordon Titus Parking entrance.

• The Gordon Titus Parking entrance and exit ramp.